The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Arkansas
Softball Takes Series With Doubleheader Sweep of Lady 'Backs
5/3/2005 | Softball
May 3, 2005
Box Score
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Ole Miss (29-28, 9-20 SEC) took a big step toward closing out the season on a positive notes, taking both games of a doubleheader from Arkansas (19-39, 4-21 SEC) on Tuesday to claim the series and push the squad above the .500 mark for the season.
The Rebels won the first game 2-1 before claiming the second game 4-0.
"This was a big win for us to get back above .500 for the season and close out conference play with a series win," said Ole Miss head coach Candi Letts. "We need to take it a step farther tomorrow and assure ourselves of a winning season with the sweep. Arkansas played well, but we fought hard and jumped on them to make sure we did what we needed to do to win the game."
Dana Brill (10-9) picked up the win for the Rebels as she struck out seven and walked none in the outing. She gave up one run on three hits.
Sarah Topham (4-7) worked 1.0 innings of work as she allowed three runs on four hits in the first inning, including a three run shot from DeDe Justice. Kelly Ninemire came in to relieve Topham after a single in the second. Ninemire worked 6.0 innings, striking out two and walking two. She gave up no runs on four hits.
With one out in the first, Kayla Mosley laid down a bunt single to reach before moving to second on a single through the right side from Mary Jane Callahan. The Rebels got on the board as Justice hit her second home run of the night, a three-run shot to centerfield to put Ole Miss up 3-0.
Ole Miss got a fourth run in the second inning when Rowe scored from third on a throwing error from the catcher. Rowe reached on a single before advancing on a single from Brooke Turner. Rowe and Turner then moved to third and second on a sac bunt from Mosley. Rowe scored on the next play when the Arkansas catcher tried to pick Rowe off at third, hitting Rowe with the throw and the ball rolled away from the base.
Ashley Carter broke up the no-hitter for Brill in the fourth inning with a bloop single to second base that fell to the ground inches in front of a diving Rowe. The hit allowed Mindy O'Malley to score from second. O'Malley had reached on an error at second and advanced to second on a grounder to second in the next at bat.
Arkansas threatened again in the fifth with a runner at third, but Brill got Rankin to strike out swinging to end the inning and get the Rebels out of the jam.
Ole Miss would not allow another scoring threat from the Lady `Backs as the Rebels picked up the series win with victory in game two.
Callahan (12-13) picked up the win as she worked a complete-game, striking out seven batters and allowing one run on six hits on the day. It was Callahan's 18th complete game of the season. Callahan issued no walks on the day.
Katy Henry (7-14) suffered the loss as she allowed two runs on seven hits. Both runs came on a home run from Justice in the fourth inning. Henry struck out five and walked none on the day.
Arkansas threatened in the third, putting a runner at second with one out as Rachel LeMaster singled up the middle and then stole second. She then moved to third on a groundout to second from Mindy O'Malley. LeMaster came home on a single to left field from Kallie Foglesong.
Callahan took a bunt single to reach in the fourth with one out, and scored on a two-run shot to straight-away center field from DeDe Justice to put the Rebels up 2-1.
Arkansas got a rally started in the seventh when Ashley Carter led off the inning with a single up the middle that hopped over a diving Rowe at second. The Rebels removed Carter from the bases on a fielder's choice bunt from pinch hitter Heather Rankin, throwing Carter out at second. Samantha Buckner then singled up the middle to put runners at first and second for the Lady `Backs. B.J. Southmayd then pinch hit, reaching on a fielder's choice as the Rebels took Rankin off the base path at third for the second out of the inning. The Rebels got out of the inning and claimed the first game as Ole Miss caught Perry stealing at third for the final out. Perry had entered to pinch run for Buckner at second.
Ole Miss and Arkansas will face off in the final game of the series at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Lady `Back Yard.
